Description:Cochemiea pondii subsp. setispina (syn: Mammillaria setispina) is a local form of Cochemiea pondii distinguished from the type species for having only 1-4 central spines, of which the upper one straight, lower one longest and hooked, 2-5 cm long. The flowers are very showy, long, red, narrowly tubular with bilateral symmetry and fit for hummingbird pollination. Habit: It is a small cereus like cactus, at first solitary then with time forming small irregular few branched clusters, with stems, either ascending or prostrate, somewhat jointed hidden under a dense cover of spines.Stems: Ascending, 30 cm high.Roots: Fibrous or moderately thickened.Tubercles: Short; axils of tubercles woolly but not setose.Radial spines: 10 to 12, white with black tips, widely spreading, unequal, 10 to 34 mm long, slender.Central spines: 1 to 4, stouter than the radials, one of them pointing downwards strongly hooked, 2-5 cm long.Flowers: Large, produced near the plants tip from axils of tubercles, scarlet, 5 cm long, 2 cm wide, zygomorphic with a long hypanthium, segment flaring and tips reflexed.Fruit:Obovoid, 3 cm long, scarlet.Blooming season: March – April (sometime blooms a second time in Autumn)Seeds: Black and pitted.

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Cochemiea pondii group

Cochemiea pondii(Greene) Walton: (subsp. pondii) has 4-11 central spines up to 30 mm long, reddish, longer and stouter than the radials, of which one (or two) rigid and strongly hooked. Distribution: Cedros Island, off the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico.

Cultivation and Propagation: This plant isn't famous for being easy to cultivate, but in good conditions with excellent ventilation, it grows without difficulty. It is especially sensitive to over-watering. So careful watering and an open mineral potting soil are a must. Avoid the use of peat or other humus sources in the potting mixture.Don't add limestone to the potting mix, which must be moderately acidic. Can be sensitive to frost. Requires maximum sun exposure to reach its full potential. and in order to achieve success in flowering.A winter rest that allows the plant to shrivel will encourage flowering and long term survival. Be careful to encourage slow growth.Propagation: Seeds or offsets.